How to Protect Your Car From Stone Chips
The state of Britain’s roads has more motorists on the lookout for potholes and potential damage than ever before – but stone chips remain a familiar and frustrating issue even on the most well-maintained surfaces.
Caused by loose gravel and debris, stone chips are incredibly common – and although they’re small if left without treatment, they can cause significant damage to your paintwork. Stone chips can affect any area or aspect of your vehicle, but they’re particularly bad news for paintwork, with vulnerable and most-affected areas including the bonnet, bumper and side mirrors.
Alongside compromising the integrity of your paintwork and your vehicle’s aesthetic, stone chips are also bad news if you’re planning on selling at some point in the future.
How do stone chips affect the aesthetics and resale value of a vehicle?
Stone chips rip away the clear coat, colour paint, and sometimes even the primer. This exposes the plastics and metal beneath resulting in ugly marks across your cars bodywork. Single instances might be hard to notice, but over time, stone chips can significantly compromise both the ‘look’ of your vehicle, and its physical protection. In the worst case scenarios, chips on metal panels can lead to rust in the bodywork.
It might seem tempting to leave these chips due to them seeming so small and insignificant to the naked eye – but even a small chip can turn into a big problem if not addressed promptly.
Methods of stone chip protection
Although stone chips are very common and sometimes unavoidable, the good news is that there are various solutions to protect your car and prevent the damage they cause. From protective films and coatings to wraps and sealants. Knowing which one to use depends on a number of factors – including the type of car, budget, use of vehicle and the type of paintwork you have.
Protective film
Paint protection film (or PPF) is essentially an invisible, active physical barrier (also known as ‘mechanical’ protection) which can be applied to most vehicles to prevent damage from stone chips and other common issues such as bug spatters, scratches and minor abrasions. The innovative film acts as a layer which absorbs the impact and damage of debris. PPF is highly effective, durable and versatile – it can be applied to the entire vehicle or specifically to targeted spots which suffer the most wear and tear. It can be installed and removed without leaving any trace (did you know it was first developed for military use during the Vietnam war!?).
There are a number of different types of protection films on offer, the most common variation being between healing or self-healing variants. In its earlier years, PPF was available in an upgraded version with innovative self-healing properties, which allow scratches and dents in the film to be remedied easily with the application of heat. This is now pretty standard for most protective films, but it’s worth checking before you take the plunge.
Another advantage with PPF is that it can be removed and reapplied, and is suitable for both new and older vehicles. Once paintwork has been compromised it usually requires repainting or repair work which rarely matches the manufacturer’s quality or finish, so it’s a worthy investment especially if you live in a high-risk area or have a luxury vehicle.
Protective wraps
Wraps work in a very similar way to PPF and tend to cost less to purchase and install. But there are a few key differences to be aware of. Usually vinyl wrap is a light, ultra-thin film made from PVC, but typically wrapping is carried out primarily to change the colour or appearance of your vehicle, so the protection it offers is relatively superficial. Wrapping will keep minor stone chips at bay and offer a barrier between your paintwork and issues such as UV exposure and bird poo. This offers a ‘best of both worlds’ for many in terms of protection and aesthetics, but for protection against deep scratches and scuffs PPF is the better option.
Coatings and sealants
Other protective options are available where wrap and film solutions aren’t a good fit or may not be as effective. These include ceramic coatings, which give your bodywork a slick surface which is more difficult for debris to stick to, and sealants which can also deflect or absorb damage. Ceramic coating is invisible but creates a tough, water-proof barrier which offers enhanced protection for your car’s paintwork and give it a polished, glass-like shine.
The self-healing properties of PPF make it a stand-out choice for most clients; but it’s worth having a discussion to weigh up the pros and cons of each option first including performance, cost, lasting power and ease of installation. Sometimes a bespoke blend of techniques and products are applied to ensure enhanced protection, especially for unique and high-value vehicles.
DIY vs professional installation
As is the case with most things nowadays, there are many DIY kits emerging which allow you to fit protective measures yourself. The advantage of this is that it makes stone chip protection more accessible and in some cases more affordable – but there are some big downsides, including the potential issues you can create if you get the installation wrong. Generally, DIY kits are also pretty limited in what they can do and usually come in the form of home film kits and touch-up paint.
Although it does tend to cost more, there’s a significant number of advantages associated with professional installation. Choosing a reputable, certified installer ensures better coverage and long-lasting protection, saving you time and money in terms of potential damage. Typical costs for PPF installation range from £500 to £2,000 depending on coverage – and not all companies and installers offer the same standard of service. Your car represents a significant investment, so it’s important to choose a reputable installer with the necessary skills and experience. The best way to do this is through word of mouth recommendations and checking impartial reviews online via sites like Google and TrustPilot. Some dealerships may recommend certain companies or offer this service in-house, but again it’s always worth checking previous customer feedback before you make a decision.
Maintenance and care of protected vehicles
Cars with protection films or wraps need special care and maintenance which looks slightly different compared with standard paintwork care. The typical lifespan of PPF is 5-10 years, and proper aftercare can significantly impact on its longevity and performance.
Maintenance
As is the case with any unprotected vehicle, regular checks can help you to identify any issues before they become bigger problems. This is an opportunity to keep an eye out for any imperfections or damage which require attention and make sure your protective measures are performing as expected. Careful inspections at regular intervals are important no matter what protective features you have in place, as this ensures that minor damage doesn’t materialise into major issues. If damage is found, self-healing PPF can repair small scratches, minor dents, and scuffs itself with the application of heat.
Cleaning
When washing a wrapped car or a car with PPF, be sure to use recommended pH-neutral car wash soaps and soft microfibre cloths. This may also mean carefully selecting and avoiding certain professional car washes (and automatic washes at petrol stations), as some may not be experienced or thorough enough to properly care for a vehicle with PPF or wrapping.
It's important to note here that PPF itself doesn’t actually require cleaning or ‘polishing’ as some recommend. If it looks scuffed or scratched, this usually means that the damage is beyond the film’s self-healing capabilities and needs to be replaced.
Legal and regulatory considerations in the UK
As vehicle modifications have become more widespread and popular, legislation has been introduced to standardise and ensure the safety of these features. When it comes to keeping stone chips at bay, there are a few things motorists need to know about road safety and visibility with solutions like PPF.
Current UK regulations relating to vehicle modifications include the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Road Vehicles Regulations. Essentially these guidelines focus on potentially dangerous issues, such as obscuring number plate visibility, covering of windows and films obstructing lights, all of which could impact road safety.
Other important considerations apply for certain vehicles, especially those purchased as new. Some makes have guidelines and stipulations which could void any promotional guarantees or warranty if breached, so it’s always worth checking with your car manufacturer about any potential warranty implications before applying PPF. Adding PPF or wraps might also affect insurance premiums, in some cases positively – so be sure to contact your provider before you have any protective coatings applied.
Ensuring long-term protection for your vehicle
Stone chip protection is a great way to proactively protect your vehicle and keep your car in great condition, preserving its paintwork and resale value. From PPF and wraps to protective coatings, there are a variety of solutions available which offer effective barriers against road debris, with varying features and benefits depending on your vehicle and requirements.
Stone chip protective measures are highly beneficial, but professional installation is recommended for best results and to ensure optimal coverage and long-term performance. There are also a variety of legal and insurance implications to be aware of associated with protective films, coatings and wraps – so it’s important to do your research before you take the plunge.
And although it’s very effective, protective work doesn’t negate the need for regular maintenance and still requires appropriate care including proper washing and inspections to help you catch potential issues before they escalate. Regular maintenance and care extends the life of your protective films, whilst checks with your insurer and manufacturer are also essential to make sure any preventative or remedial solutions are safe and legally compliant.
